PROVIDING CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUN, GROWTH AND LEARNING

Kinark's Caring Classroom uses adventure activities to build character and create community.

Working with several school boards in Ontario, Kinark Outdoor Centre educators offer a unique character education experience for children in their regular school setting. Using adventure-based activities, the Caring Classroom strengthens relationship skills, co-operation, trust, empathy, problem-solving and communication in school-aged children. The program addresses many of the character building goals within the grades 4-8 curriculum including the principles of respect, responsibility, honesty, integrity, fairness, courage and optimism.

As a prevention program, the Caring Classroom provides strategies for creating a community that embraces diversity and promotes acceptance. The program encourages children to take risks and support others to do the same and engages participants in activities that address "put downs", peer support and tolerance. Each Caring Classroom Program is facilitated by two specialized facilitators and takes place in a school gym or playground over the course of 5 weeks (2 hours per week). The program can be customized to meet the unique needs of the participating students, schools and communities.

How can you help?

$1,750 provides the five-week Caring Classroom program for a class of elementary school children. That amounts to less than $6 per child for each program hour.

If you would like to make a gift to support the Caring Classroom and other programs offered by the Kinark Outdoor Centre, please click here to make a donation.